Super shed on the way

THE north west is becoming a major magnet for "super sheds" - the massive warehouses used by major UK distribution companies. Research by property consultancy Knight Frank shows the region has seen one of the highest levels of speculatively built industrial units in the UK over the past 12 months.

THE north west is becoming a major magnet for "super sheds" - the massive warehouses used by major UK distribution companies.

Research by property consultancy Knight Frank shows the region has seen one of the highest levels of speculatively built industrial units in the UK over the past 12 months.

Developers are flocking to the region, attracted by its strong transport infrastructure and its labour force, and there has been a number of key developments, including super sheds at Trafford Park and further afield in Ellesmere Port, Skelmersdale and Knowsley.

Speculative

Knight Frank says 22 per cent of the UK's speculative new build projects over the past 12 months have been constructed in the north west, and as a result available floor space in the region has risen to 23.5m sq ft. Super sheds are leading the way - with a 20 per cent increase in the number of developments over 100,000 sq ft in the past year.

David Porter, partner at Knight Frank, Manchester, said: "As the distribution sector continues to expand in the region, the already intense competition for prime sites will strengthen. is expected to drive up land prices across the market."